THE INTERNATIONAL TOURIST TROPHY RACES.

THE INTERNATIONAL TOURIST TROPHY RACES.

By R.R.

HREE T.T. Races will be held in the Isle of Man this year, the Lightweight, the Junior, and the Senior. Run under the International Rules of the F.1.C.M. and the general competition rules of the A.C.U. The official awards are £20, and a replica of the trophy to the driver of each winning motor cycle, and £10 and £5 to the drivers of the second and third motor cycles, in each race. A replica of the Trophy will be presented to the entrant of all motor cycles completing the course in a time not exceeding that of the winners in each race by more than one-tenth. Additional prizes will also be given as follows

The Manufacturers Team Prize” consisting of the Union’s Silver Exhibition Medal for the Lightweight, and a Challenge Trophy and £5 to each member of the winning team in the Senior and Junior Races. These team prizes are being awarded to teams of three competitors driving the same motor cycles, nominated and entered by the manufacturers of the machines. Winning teams will be those who com

plete the course in the shortest aggregate time, but the aggregate time taken by any member of a team must not exceed by more than one hour the time taken by the winner of the race.

A Club learn Prize to affiliated Club Teams in each race and the Visitors Cup will be presented for the best performance in the races by a visitor to the British Isles.

IMPORTANT REGULATIONS. The T.T. Races are open to all motor Cyclists, but accepted entrants must have completed at least four laps of the actual course in practice, one lap to be covered in 45 minutes or less. Entrants have also to comply with a number of strictly enforced rules, such as specifying before the race, the brand of Fuel and Oil they propose using. During the races, each Competitor is allowed a replenishment Depot, but at no other place on the course are drivers permitted to obtain supplies. Actual spare parts must be carried on the motor cycles from the commencement of the races. Fuel and oil may only be carried in the usual tank or tanks on the machines. At replenishment depots, drivers only are permitted to carry out ad

justments or repairs, although they are allowed one assistant to aid them in filling with oil, fuel and water.

HISTORY OF THE RACES. The Tourist Trophy Races were first held in the Isle of Man in 1907, and consisted of two races, Single Cylinder Class and Twin Cylinder Class. The former was won by C. R. Collier on a 31/2 h.p. Matchless, and the latter by H. R. Fowler on a 5 h.n. Norton. Their speeds were 38.23 m.p.h. and 36.22 m.p.h. respectively. In 1908, the same two races were held and won by J. Marshall on a 31/2 h.p. Triumph, and W. Reed on a 5 h.p. Dot. In 1909, only one race was held which H. A. Collier won riding a 5 h.p. Matchless at 49 m.p.h. C. R. Collier won the only race held in 1910 at 50.63 m.p.h. The Junior and Senior races were first instituted in 1911 and the Lightweight Race in 1922. In 1923 a sidecar race was also held, being won by F. W. Dixon on a 5-96 Douglas at 53.15 m.p.h. Five T.T. Races took place in 1925 in addition to the usual Senior nnd Junior. An Ultra Lightweight Race was run and a Sidecar Race. The last two races have not been held since the former was won by W. L. Handley on a 1-74 Rex Acme at the astonishing speed of 53-45

p. h.

In 1928, the Lightweight, Junior, and Senior Races were held. The Junior being won by A. Bennett on a 3.48 Velocette at 68.65 m.p.h. F. A. Longman on a 2-49 O.K. Supreme won the Lightweight at 62.90 m.p.h., and C. J. P. Dodson riding a 4.93 Sunbeam, carried off the Senior at 62.98 m.p.h. The poorness of Dodson’s speed is accounted for by the very unfavourable weather conditions; mist and rain marred the race throughout.

THE 1929 RACES.

This year the three Races will be held on the following dates, Senior. June 14th; Junior, June 10th; and the Lightweight on June 12th. The Races will all be run over a course starting from near Douglas thence via Ballacraine, Kirkmichael, Ballough, Sulby and Ramsey over Snaefell Mountain, back to the starting point. One lap measures 37 miles, 1,300 yards. As each Race will consist of seven laps of the course, the total distance to be covered in each race is 264 miles, 300 yards.